The purpose of oral suctioning is to maintain a patent airway and improve oxygenation by removing mucous secretions and foreign material  from the mouth and throat. Oral suction is the use of a rigid plastic suction catheter, known as a yankauer, to remove pharyngeal secretions through the mouth. The suction catheter has a large hole for the thumb to cover to initiate suction, along with smaller holes along the end, which mucous enters when suction is applied